Metal News for March 12, 2014

We post metal news every day, throughout the day, covering thousands of metal bands including underground and unsigned bands. You are currently browsing the news archive, but you can also find news by band.

Belgrade, Serbia-based outfit Stvor has released a music video for the track "Kurac," which the band states is about "politicians and drawing a dick on your voting paper." Check it out in the player below. For more info about Stvor head over to the band's Facebook profile.

"Waxen is my personal musical manifestation of the extreme negative polarity. Waxen's debut was recorded nearly a decade ago, and this follow-up Agios Holokauston was only made possible by a cloud of darkness that once again lingered over me that needed to be transformed into an artform.

"I recorded this in the most primitive ways to capture the true essence of black metal. Broken, tiny earphones were used as the 'microphone,' and all instruments were plugged into a 4-track and overdriven by 'maxing out' the unit itself. My aim is to reintroduce a strain of black metal that inspired me, bands like Octinomos, Algaion, early Graveland, and Craft, just to name a few."

Georgia-based melodic metal band Theocracy regrets to announce the departure of longtime drummer Shawn Benson, who will be pursuing other interests. The band comments:

"Continued work conflicts and scheduling issues simply made it impossible to move forward, so both parties amicably agreed that it was time for a change to be made. There are no hard feelings on either side, and the band wishes Shawn nothing but the best in the future."

“To be honest, I’m pretty devastated about this, as I expected to be playing with Shawn for as long as we kept going,” says vocalist Matt Smith. “But he is moving into a different phase of his life and could no longer give the commitment it takes to be in a band, so ultimately this is the only solution for all parties involved. I’d like to personally thank Shawn for helping to bring three albums from my imagination to reality, and his contributions can never be overstated. He will always be a part of the Theocracy family.”

In the interest of moving forward, Theocracy is beginning to look for candidates to fill the position. Interested parties can contact the band at theocracydrummersearch@gmail.com. Theocracy is currently working on new material to follow the "As the World Bleeds" album. More...

Vredehammer's new album "Vinteroffer" will be released on April 7th in Europe, with pre-orders available at this location. You can hear the new song "Cthulhu" below, and the album's full track listing is as follows:

Hacride has checked in with the following announcement about upcoming tour dates:

"Here comes our final European touring schedule. Unfortunately German and Italian dates had to be cancelled at the last moment due to organizational/technical hazards with Uneven Structure. Sorry about that, we'll be back ASAP! So get ready Spain, Belgium, Holland, France and the U.K.... Hacride is back at full throttle!"

Misery Index has teamed up with Lambgoat.com to stream a new track titled "Conjuring the Cull," which can be heard below. The band also comments:

"Want to hear a song from our new album 'The Killing Gods?' 'Conjuring the Cull' is the fourth part of 'Faust;' a single fifteen and a half minute song comprising the first five tracks of 'The Killing Gods' album. We are proud to demolish your ear drums with this pummeling taste of our new record."

The band's fifth full-length was recorded at Visceral Sound Studios with Scott Hull and Wright Way recording with long-time engineer Steve Wright. Misery Index will see the release of "The Killing Gods" on May 27th in North America (May 23rd worldwide). More...

Manowar has issued the following announcement about cancelling the band's appearance at the Legacy Open Air festival:

"Despite all of our management's efforts over the last months to save Manowar's scheduled headlining performance at Legacy Open Air in Germany this June, the promoters' failures to fulfill essential contractual obligations have made it impossible for Manowar to put on the show that their fans deserve, leaving us with no other choice than to disassociate Manowar from this event.

"Those who have purchased tickets to see Manowar at Legacy Open Air this summer are recommended to contact their ticket outlets to obtain a full refund.

"The 'Kings Of Metal MMXIV' World Tour continues across Europe starting March 18, 2014 in Krasnodar, Russia and Manowar will return to Germany for 3 indoor shows in January 2015 in Essen (January 14, 2015), Munich (January 15, 2015) and Frankfurt (January 17, 2015)."

Following the release of second album, "Men of Honor," Adrenaline Mob announces today that the band will be supporting Avenged Sevenfold and Hellyeah on 12 shows in the U.S and Canada in April and May.

Adrenaline Mob will be doing headline shows on the off days as well as supporting Hellyeah during and after the dates with Avenged Sevenfold. Adrenaline Mob will be touring throughout 2014/2015 with further dates to be announced. Currently scheduled dates with Hellyeah and Adrenaline Mob are as follows:

Swiss hard rockers Shakra have disclosed their latest plans for releasing a "Best Of" album, which will be titled “33 - The Best Of” and it set to arrive on May 9th via AFM Records. The double album includes 30 Shakra classics and 3 brand new songs.

Check out the cover artwork below. You can also watch the band's video for "Save You From Yourself" at this location. More...

The Ajna Offensive today sets May 13th as the North American release date for Teitanblood's "Death." The band's second album, "Death" follows five years after "Seven Chalices." The track listing is as follows:

1. Anteinfierno2. Plagues of Forgiveness3. Unearthed Veins4. Silence of the Great Martyrs5. Burning in Damnation Fires6. Sleeping Throats of the Antichrist More...

Death metal legends Massacre have returned with their first studio album effort in almost 20 years.

"Back From Beyond" is due out March 24th in Europe and April 1st in North America via Century Media Records. For a preview of the album, Geeks Of Doom.com has premiered a video for the title track. Check it out below. The video for "Back From Beyond" was directed by Doug Cook and animated by Nick Johnson and Ryder McLean.

Terry Butler (bass) comments: "Massacre is very proud of the 'Back From Beyond' video. It has a nice campy horror vibe, yet at the same time is cutting edge, and we think it can connect with a variety of audiences. Doug Cook did an amazing job with this one!!!"

The album's track listing is as follows:

1. The Ancient Ones2. As We Wait To Die3. Ascension Of The Deceased4. Hunter's Blood5. Darkness Fell6. False Revelation7. Succumb To Rapture8. Remnants Of Hatred9. Shield Of The Son10. The Evil Within11. Sands Of Time12. Beast With Vengeance13. Back From Beyond14. Honor The FallenBonus Tracks:15. Corpsegrinder (DEATH cover)16. Mutilation (DEATH cover) More...

Emmure front man Frankie Palmeri appears on the cover of Revolver Magazine this month, and now the magazine is presenting the stream for newest track, “E,” taken from the band’s upcoming album "Eternal Enemies," due out April 15th.

Check out “E” in the player below, courtesy of Revolvermag.com. The "Eternal Enemies" track listing is as follows:

1. Bring a Gun To School2. Nemesis3. N.I.A. (News in Arizona)4. The Hang Up5. A Gift A Curse6. E7. Like LaMotta8. Free Publicity9. Most Hated10. Grave Markings11. Hitomi’s Shinobi12. Rat King13. Girls Don’t Like Boys, Girls like 40’s and Blunts14. New Age Rambler15. We Were Just Kids More...

Nuclear Blast has posted a video interview with Devil You Know, the creative union of Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage), Francesco Artusato (All Shall Perish) and John Sankey (Devolved). Check out the "meet the band" video below.

The band's new album "The Beauty of Destruction" will be available on April 25th (Europe) and April 29th (North America/UK/France) via Nuclear Blast Records. The track listing is as follows:

1. A New Beginning2. My Own3. Embracing The Torture4. For The Dead And Broken5. Seven Years Alone6. It's Over7. A Mind Insane8. Crawl From The Dark9. The Killer10. I Am The Nothing11. Shut It Down12. As Bright As The Darkness13. Sacrifice (bonus track – vinyl LP only) More...

After previously releasing "Cloud Factory," the second single of upcoming new album "Pariah’s Child," Finnish melodic metal quintet Sonata Arctica now launches the first track-by-track video.

In this episode the whole band gives an insight on the creation of the first five tracks off "Pariah’s Child." Check it out below. The new album will be out on March 28th, 2014 via Nuclear Blast, and the track listing is as follows:

1. The Wolves Die Young2. Running Lights3. Take One Breath4. Cloud Factory5. Blood6. What Did You Do in the War, Dad?7. Half a Marathon Man8. X Marks the Spot9. Love10. Larger Than Life More...

Polish death metal legends Vader just announced the release of a special 7“ single off their upcoming album “Tibi Et Igni.” The 7” single is titled “Go To Hell” and includes following songs:

Side A: “Where Angels Weep”Side B: “Triumph Of Death”

The song “Where Angels Weep” will also be available digitally. The vinyl and the digitally version will be released on April 18th via Nuclear Blast. Vader comments:

"We are almost ready with final mix and master 'Tibi et Igni,' the new Vader album. To give you a little touch of what is coming at the end of May - we prepared two songs for special 7' vinyl even before we started to work with mixing process. This limited little 'fire breath' is called 'Go To Hell' and includes tracks: 'Where Angels Weep' and 'Triumph Of Death.'

"It will be available soon in April. Digital version - just one track - is gonna be available too. The mix and some details are different then all You will find on the album in May. ENJOY ... and call the fiery winds of Hell!" More...

Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell has teamed up with Noisey.Vice.com to stream the track "Do It Now." Check it out below. The following press release was also issued about the band:

"Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell are the last of a dying breed of Grease Rock Bastard musicians who somehow, despite and in spite of the last 3 decades trying their best to kill off balls out, non-bullshit rock'n'roll music, somehow, against all the fucking odds, still exist, surviving on a steady diet of God sent gigs, hire vans, broken down amps, split drum skins, greasy spoon fry ups, patched up jeans, roll-ups, cheap leather jackets, booze, weed and bathtub speed.

"Facts to face - the Shovell are named after a 17th century English naval commander; Bill Darlington plays drums, Louis Comfort-Wiggett plays bass and Johnny Gorilla plays guitar and sings, they have been together as a band since 2008.

"Their debut 2011 Rise Above 7", Return To Zero'/'Day After Day, sold out instantly and now commands £100 plus a copy; their 2012 debut long-player Don't Hear It...Fear It received unilateral rave reviews and was described pretty accurately by one scribe as 'the aural equivalent of stumbling into an 18 year-old male's bedsit in 1973 - the kind of greasy hard-rock thrills rarely heard in this climate of blind nostalgia and misjudged authenticity. It's hard 'n' heavy, without the marshmallow; it's old-fashioned yet so NOW that it hurts!!'

"They've toured and played with the likes of Orange Goblin, Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, Incredible Hog, Gentlemans Pistols, Graveyard, Gonga and countless more, toured Europe and had chief Groundhog Tony McPhee playing on their first LP! More...

Destrage has confirmed a first tour of 2014, touring throughout the band's home country, beginning on March 29th.

This tour will follow Destrage's recent hometown show in Milan where the venue was sold out, with several hundred more fans outside of the venue. Destrage posted an update about that show with images on Facebook right here.

Vocalist Paolo Colavolpe comments: "What's better than hitting some of the best venues of our country to start our AYKMN tour 2014? This is gonna be some serious fun! See you on the road people, ciao belli!"

See the band live supporting new album "Are You Kidding Me? No." on these dates:

Hells Headbangers has announced April 29th as the drop date for two early, seminal Centurian releases: the band's "Choronzonic Chaos Gods" debut and the preceding "Of Purest Fire" demo. The label comments on the coming re-issues:

"Originally released in 1999, Hells Headbangers is proud to present a well-earned reissue of Centurian's classic debut album, 'Choronzonic Chaos Gods.' Very aptly titled, Choronzonic Chaos Gods is a veritable vortex of chaos magick executed with military precision. Centurian at this stage could accurately be described as 'death metal,' but the ever-cyclonic, ever-coiling whirlwinds unleashed by the band take on a form more supernatural than physical.

"As such, Centurian's debut album found much favor with the black metal faithful at the time, as well as those who held hope for a flagging death metal scene; not for nothing was it released by the esteemed Full Moon Productions label. Now, Hells Headbangers unleashes Choronzonic Chaos Gods, out of print for years, on CD and, for the first time ever, vinyl LP."

The track listing is as follows:

1. Damned and Dead2. The Law of Burning3. Hail Caligula!!!4. Misanthropic Luciferian Onslaught5. Let Jesus Bleed6. Blood for Satan7. Soultheft8. Cross of Fury9. In the Name of Chaos More...

"All Hell's Martyrs" will see official release on March 21st through Germany's cult label, Ván Records. Preorders for the CD and LP versions of the album are available here.

Following the 2013 release of "Pray To The Devil In Man" 12" EP, Dread Sovereign entered Dublin's Sun Studios in September to record "All Hell's Martyrs." The track listing is as follows:

1. Drink The Wine2. Thirteen Clergy3. Cthulu Opiate Haze (streaming here)4. The Devil's Venom5. Pray To The Devil In Man6. Scourging Iron7. The Great Beast8. We Wield The Spear Of Longinus9. Cathars To Their Doom10. All Hell's Martyrs, Transmissions From The Devil Star

"When we tracked this album, we planned on keeping a strong, raw, live sound. We didn't want an overproduced sounding record. We don't want to be the same shit as all the other bands out there. People like us or hate us. And fuck it either way. The backbone behind Black Tar Prophet is hate mixed with a big fuck you.

"We're not trying to jump on any bandwagon. We play what we like. And whatever genre it is, we don't care. We are happy working with Domestic Genocide and hope to provide more noise before 2015, book as many shows as we can, and stay active, as we have been the past three years." More...

U.K. outfit Pombagira will be returning this fall with a new album to be released by Svart Records. Titled "Flesh Throne Press," the album will be available on CD, double-vinyl LP, and digital. The following press release was also issued about the band:

"Pombagira was formed in 2008 by Peter Hamilton-Giles and Carolyn Hamilton-Giles out of a desire to reset the controls for the heart of the heavy. Having set out as a more typical doom/sludge band, across the course of their previous five albums, they've turned their attention to exploring the psychedelic in musical composition.

"This was realized the most in their most recent release, Maleficia Lamiah, which received across-the-board praise for its innovative approach. This moved them away for just being notorious for their sheer volume, using a backline not dissimilar in stature to Sunn o))). Although this may not necessary be the complete emphasis for the band, they continue to be one of the loudest and most oppressive bands to witness live. However, this has been colored by incorporating a psych-o-delic light show."

Commenting on the imminent "Flesh Throne Press," Peter Hamilton-Giles states, "In many ways, this album solidifies a connection between the written word composed within the Grimoire of the Baron Citadel to be published by later this year by Three Hands Press, which I am currently writing, and the ongoing ritual work to serve the forgotten and fallen. The Flesh Throne Press is therefore a reference to the visceral experience of the grave dirt that presses in on the flesh during the initiatory procedure for approaching the crossroads."

The band feels the new album encompasses everything it has done before, while also find new ways to innovate the music. Further details are forthcoming. More...

Russian avant-garde, post-metal band Poseidon has inked a deal with Argonauta Records. The label comments:

"Poseidon founded in 2011 in the land where, as the legend says, once was Tethys Sea - Stavropol city, Russia – began at the end of 2011 releasing the single 'Portals' followed by the single 'Lotuses burning in the fire of Hell' in 2012, showcasing more of an extreme progressive metal sound.

"In September 2013 Poseidon released the EP 'III,' which has more post-metal and atmospheric influences, with a lot of clean male vocals. Today, the distinctive features of Poseidon’s music are the use of orchestration for visual imagery and more cinematic post metal, where avant-garde and post metal collide creating an original wall of sound, reminding of the aggressive tunes of The Ocean and the theatrical touch of Ved Buens Ende."

The new album "Infinity" will soon see release as a digisleeve CD edition, limited to 300 copies worldwide. More...

Update: the stream is no longer available, but you can hear music from the band over at the Human Cull Facebook page here.

Exeter-based crust/grind act Human Cull is gearing up for the release of "Stillborn Nation," which is slated to drop like an atomic bomb on March 31st, 2014.

Today Metalunderground.com brings the official U.S. premiere of all 23 tracks off the album: 22 of insane grind mayhem all capped by a final sludgy, slow moving battering ram of a finale. Listen to all of "Stillborn Nation" below, and you can also pre-order your own copy at this location.

Formed in 2011 from the ashes of a previous act, the band’s sound is influenced by 80’s grindcore and crust bands such as Napalm Death, Doom, Fear of God, Discharge & Terrorizer as well as more recent acts such as Nasum, Gadget, Nuclear Death Terror and 324.

Human Cull is currently booking a European tour with Oblivionized for April 2014.

Finnish thrashers Lost Society released the third part in the ongoing track-by-track video series for the band's upcoming sophomore effort "Terror Hungry." The album drops on April 1, 2014 (US), April 4, 2014 (EU) and April 7, 2014 (UK) via Nuclear Blast Records.

Finland's Profane Omen released a new music video for the track "Trails." The song appears on the new release "Reset," which is set to drop via Spinefarm Records on March 14th. The video was directed by Tage Rönnqvist.

The Warriors of Metal, Inc. non-profit organization, announced that newly discovered Long Island, NY power metal band, Shadowstrike has been confirmed for Warriors Of Metal Fest VII, which takes place at O'Sheckys Live Bar & Grill in Columbus, Ohio from June 27th-28th.

ShadowStrike guitarist and vocalist Matthaus Krais states: "We are all very excited to be a part of Warriors Of Metal Fest VII. This will not only be our first time performing in Ohio, but it will be our first time performing in the Midwest period. There are many amazing bands playing this festival and we can't wait to see them all perform as well as share the stage with them and of course bring our music to all the fans!"

The band previously posted "Gales of Winter" off their forthcoming EP "Infinite Power," which can be heard at this location.

More information about the festival, including ticket information can be found over here. The latest lineup for the festival includes: